From Eric Dondero:

A relatively new trend has emerged for 2010; Republican type candidates running on the Libertarian Party ticket for Congress, Governor and other offices. These candidates are for all intents and purposes "culturally Republican." Their views tend to lean more towards the conservative side of the libertarian spectrum, particularly on border and national security matters. But their ballot line says "Libertarian Party."

Stuart Bain for Congress - Virginia

Stuart Bain (photo) is running for Congress in Virginia's 6th District. The District is heavily Republican. It is represented by longtime GOPer Rep. Bob Goodlatte. There is no Democrat in the race.

Bain is a Veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, and fiercely patriotic. He's also very active with the local Tea Party in western Virginia.

Because of his mainstream all-American persona, Bain has been accused in on-line forums by some purist Libertarians of really being a "Republican," just using the Libertarian Party for ballot status.

Bain has produced a new video hammering Obama on recent remarks opposing Social Security privatization. He was kind enough to send it along to Libertarian Republican as an exclusive premiere. View it at YouTube.

Jim Prindle for Congress - Texas

Another Republican leaner is Jim Prindle, running for Congress in East Texas. Prindle is a US Army Veteran, a former congressional intern, small businessman and a volunteer football coach. He is challenging longtime incumbent Republican Ralph Hall. Hall is 84 years old.

Prindle, the former Chairman of the Collin County Libertarian Party attended the 2010 Libertarian National Convention in St. Louis as a Wayne Root delegate. He was criticized by some for running as a Libertarian only to use the race to build name i.d. for a future run as a Republican, if and when Hall steps down. Prindle does not deny the charge.

For the current race, there is no Democrat on the ballot, just Hall vs. Prindle. Prindle's campaign emphasizes: 2nd Amendment Rights, The 10th Amendment, Audit the Fed, Tax cuts and incentives for Businesses, Repeal Roe v. Wade and Strong National Defense. PrindleforCongress.com

Lex Green for Governor - Illinois

In Illinois, Lex Green has just officially made the ballot as the Libertarian Party candidate for Governor. Green is a "techie" worker in the Auto industry. He and his wife Karen are "cultural Republicans," who live in the conservative environs of Bloomington. Karen Green is a local Republican precinct committeewoman, and quite an outspoken member of the local Republican Party.

Lex Green is running against incumbent Democrat Gov. Pat Quinn, and Republican Bill Brady, who ironically, is also from Bloomington. The Greens know the Bradys from the Bloomington social scene. Karen has stressed that it's nothing personal. Brady is currently 10 points ahead. If Brady continues to run comfortably ahead, Green could pick up some protest votes, from Tea Party voters. il.lp.org

Kathie Glass for Governor - Texas

Down in Texas Kathie Glass is running for Governor. She's challenging incumbent Republican, libertarian-leaning Rick Perry, and former Houston Mayor, liberal Democrat Bill White.

Glass is stressing conservative-libertarian themes such as border security, ending public education, and abolishing property taxes.

She is married to Tom Glass. The Glasses, both diehard Ron Paul supporters, have been criticized in local Houston Libertarian circles for years, for being "too Republican." Both successful corporate attorneys, they live in a posh, exclusive section of Houston.

In the campaign so far, Glass has taken on sort of the role of substitute liberty advocate for Rick Perry in debates with White. Glass has blasted White for supporting government unions, and being weak on private solutions to education. kathie4guv.netboots.net

Bruce Olsen for Governor - Arizona

In Arizona, Bruce Olsen is running for Governor. But he must first secure the Libertarian nomination. Olsen is challenged in a somewhat rare Libertarian Party primary by leftist libertarian and perennial candidate Barry Hess.

Olsen is a staunch advocate for border security, and even praised Republican Gov. Jan Brewer for opposing the Obama adminstrations' weak-kneed stance on the issue.

Olsen is also staunchly pro-defense, a strong Constitutionalist, and pro-war on Islamo-Fascism. However, he's also an outspoken advocate for marijuana legalization as a way to cut down on Mexican drug cartels. BruceOlsen4Governor.com

Many Republican candidates have been accused in the past of really being Libertarians in disguise running on the GOP ticket "just so they can get elected." The reverse may now be happening, whereby Republicans run on the Libertarian ticket to get their Pro-Liberty message out, but also to build name i.d. for a possible future run-to-win candidacy as a Republican.